Cook County, IL Teen Charged After 44 Hospital Car Break-Ins

Maywood, IL – A teen has been charged after 44 vehicles were broken into at a parking garage at Loyola University Hospital in Cook County, with investigators saying the juvenile is also being investigated for similar incidents elsewhere in the county.

According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s police responded to reports of vehicle break-ins at the hospital parking garage on Sept. 1, 2026, Tuesday. Officers determined that 44 vehicles had been broken into and that some of the vehicles had also been burglarized.

Sheriff’s Police detectives investigating the case later identified a teen as an alleged perpetrator, authorities said. Investigators also learned the juvenile had an outstanding parole warrant.

On Sept. 22, 2026, Tuesday, investigators with the Sheriff’s Police Organized Crime Division located the teen near 38th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago, according to the sheriff’s office. The teen was taken into custody.

Authorities said the juvenile was charged with criminal damage to property and burglary to a motor vehicle in connection with the Loyola parking garage investigation.

The sheriff’s office did not identify the teen in its public announcement. Officials also did not provide details about what, if anything, was allegedly taken from the vehicles or estimate the total amount of property damage.

Investigators said the juvenile remains under investigation for similar vehicle break-ins in other jurisdictions throughout Cook County. No additional charges related to those investigations were announced in the sheriff’s office statement.

The charges are allegations. The juvenile is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.